LeasePlan-Distracted-Driving

Global research reveals scale of distracted driving

LeasePlan survey reveals that nearly three-quarters (74%) of drivers admit to using their mobile phone behind the wheel, one-fifth (20%) claim to send text messages and almost one-in-ten (9%) admit to using social media.

Government announces tougher sanctions

The Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that a driver impaired or distracted by their phone was a contributory factor in 492 accidents in Britain in 2014, including 21 that were fatal*. In September, the government announced tougher sanctions for motorists caught using their mobile phone behind the wheel, including automatically receiving six points on their licence instead of the current three and on-the-spot fines will be doubled from £100 to £200**.

LeasePlan Survey Results

However, out of the 17 countries and nearly 5,000 motorists questioned in LeasePlan’s MobilityMonitor survey, motorists in the UK appear to be more aware of the dangers of distracted driving. British drivers are least likely to use their mobile for social media behind the wheel (3%) compared to over one-fifth (22%) of motorists in the Netherlands who ranked the highest, followed by Hungary (14%).

Motorists in the UK are also the third least likely in the world – behind the USA (34%) and India (36%) – to use their phone for making calls whilst driving (43%), compared to Denmark (90%) who ranked the highest, closely followed by Sweden (89%) and Norway (88%).

Globally, Generation-X*** drivers appear to see less danger in multitasking whilst driving, as over one-fifth (21%) admit to sending a text or message at the wheel, in comparison to just 10% of Baby-boomers**** who claim to doing the same.

Additional results from LeasePlan’s global MobilityMonitor Survey reveal that over one-third (35%) of drivers admit to eating, with drivers from the Netherlands being the worst culprits (61%), 68% of drivers say they drink behind the wheel, 2% apply makeup, 5% read and 2% of Slovakian’s admit to shaving whilst driving.

The data, collected between 21st April and 24th May 2016, was gleaned from 4,869 respondents across Europe, Australia, the USA and India.

Dangers of distracted driving

One-fifth (20%) of those questioned in LeasePlan’s MobilityMonitor survey believe the use of a mobile phone whilst driving is the biggest cause of car accidents on the road.

Talking about the dangers of distracted driving, Lesley Slater, LeasePlan UK’s Operations and Business Development Director, comments:

 “It is encouraging to see that UK drivers appear to have a higher level of awareness around the dangers of mobile phone use when driving, but studies continue to show that driving ability is clearly impaired if motorists do use their phone.

“The number of incidents now related to mobile technology and other distractions at the wheel, along with the number of people who chose to ignore current rules and laws, means that driver attitudes will have to change, particularly amongst younger people.”

 


 

* Department for Transport (DfT) statistics for Britain – https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/467465/rrcgb-2014.pdf

** Penalty points and fines to double for drivers using mobile phones – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/17/penalty-points-fines-double-drivers-using-mobile-phones-200

*** Generation-X – those born between 1965- 1981

**** Baby-boomers – those born between 1946 – 1964

About LeasePlan MobilityMonitor

Accelerating economic, technological and social developments are shaping the future of mobility ─ and the vehicle leasing industry. LeasePlan aims to unlock valuable knowledge about global mobility throughout its network of companies in 32 countries worldwide. The LeasePlan MobilityMonitor makes it easier for fleet decision makers to stay up to date with key developments and make informed decisions concerning fleet management and driver mobility.

LeasePlan Global Drivers Survey

The data, collected between 21nd April and 24th May 2016, was gleaned from 4,869 respondents across Europe, Australia, the USA and India.

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